It falls, hurtling down as we watch. At the very last second, another crack rings out, and I can’t see the video camera on the damn thing, but I’m certain Diego just shot it all to shit. Good. I’ll do my autopsy on it without worrying about disconnecting its video capabilities first. When it crashes to the snow, Charles, Barrow, and I advance on it.
And then, to my utter surprise, the thing explodes in a deafening boom that shakes all the snow from the nearby trees and sends us scurrying backwards.
“The fuck?” Charles puts a finger in his ear and wiggles it.
Mine are ringing, too. “That’s not some one-click shit from Amazon. Military grade. Professional.”
Diego whistles the all-clear from the rooftop, and I throw another knife at the twisted metal, making sure it doesn’t have any more surprises.
“Who would send this shit out here?” Charles growls, his anger rising right along with mine.
I sigh and approach the wreck. “I have a feeling this is about Daphne’s blog.”
“How the fuck did a blog do this?” Barrow frowns.
“Power of the internet.” I crouch by the device and gently lift what’s left of it. “Let’s get to work on this. I’m going to track it right back to whoever sent it, and then I’m going to handle this shit once and for all. No one threatens us or our women.”
“I’m in.” Barrow picks a few of the scattered components.
“Same,” Charles calls as he takes off to do one more sweep.
Diego opens the garage door for us and eyes the destroyed drone.
Daphne was right to feel threatened. But the men in her article—the ones who sent this shit to our doorstep? The ones who tried to hurt and silence my Daphne? After I find out where they are, they won’t feel threatened at all. . . At least, I assume the dead don’t have feelings.
9
DAPHNE
Irock back and forth as I sit in the closet, wondering if I’ve made a terrible mistake by sending that email. I keep my eyes closed tight. As silly as it sounds, if I don’t actually see that it’s dark, then I’ll be okay. My mind keeps flashing back to the look on Tiernan’s face when he asked me to stay put. I could tell that it wasn’t the time to hassle him or be a brat. I needed to stay out of the way so Tiernan could do what he does best.
When I posted everything online, I thought the only person that would be in danger was me. My parents may not be physically harmed, but emotionally they’re hurting. I could hear it in my father's voice. He didn't want anything to happen to me.
Now my concern is for everyone here. I’m putting them in danger, too. I should’ve stuck with my plan and run. Instead, I took a risk and stayed. I’m the one that’s brought this problem to their doorstep. Putting these innocent people at risk. They didn't ask for this. Now they don’t really have much of a choice but to deal with it. To top it off, I’ve been a brat to Tiernan.
The man drives me insane! He’s either ignoring me or mad at me. There doesn't seem to be an in between. I allow my mind to drift to thoughts of what it would be like if Tiernan treated me as sweetly as all the other men treat their ladies here. How would it feel for him to pull me into his lap in front of everyone and give me kisses that leave me breathless? I lick my lips, even though I’m never going to know the answer to that. Tiernan doesn’t seem the type to hand out public displays of affection. Especially not when he’s locked up tight with secrets.
I have to leave. It's the only thing that will work to keep everyone here safe. My problems will follow me. I’m sure Tiernan will enjoy having his sanity back, too. He made it clear in the beginning he didn't like me. I’m not so sure that’s really changed. Sure, we’ve fooled around a bit, but that’s only because I’m the last girl left standing in front of a man who lives in the middle of freaking nowhere, of course he wants to get in my pants.
I want him in them, too. Even if it’s only for one night. Who knows what’s going to happen when I leave here? What I do know is that I don’t want to die a virgin. And since I’m currently sitting in the dark in a closet, it sort of feels as though the chances of that happening are pretty high.
My head jerks up, breaking me from my thoughts when I hear someone enter the room. I hold my breath and try not to make a sound. The door flies open, spilling light into the closet. I let out a huge breath of relief when I realize it’s Tiernan. I jump to my feet and throw myself at him. He catches me easily.
I pepper kisses all over his face. “You’re okay.” I kiss him before he can answer me.
He groans into my mouth as he spins me around. My back hits a soft mattress a few seconds later.
“Why are you crying? Everything is fine, little one.”
“The dark,” I say.
“Fuck me.” He lets out a few more curse words. “I’m sorry. Why didn't you turn the light on?”
“I didn’t know if I could.” I lick my lips, wanting to get back to kissing him.
“Of course this would be the one time you actually did as I told you. Usually you can’t wait to disobey me.” He drops his forehead to mine.
“Is everyone else okay?” I run my hands up and down his back, trying to reassure myself that he’s fine.